Ron Paul on Sunday defended controversial comments he made about AIDS patients in a 1987 book, while also disputing indications from recent polls that his support is slipping in Iowa

The Texas congressman wrote in his book, "Freedom Under Siege," that people with sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS bear some responsibility for their condition and should not burden others with the cost of their care.

"The individual suffering from AIDS certainly is a victim -- frequently a victim of his own lifestyle -- but this same individual victimizes innocent citizens by forcing them to pay for his care," he wrote.


Asked about the comments on "Fox News Sunday," Paul said: "I don't know how you can change science." Sexually transmitted diseases are "caused by sexual activity," he said, and "in a free society people do dumb things, but it isn't to be placed as a burden on other people, innocent people."

"Why should they have to pay for the consequences?" he said.

Paul called that idea a "socialistic attitude" and said insurance companies should determine coverage. "The market should handle this," he said.

The congressman said the law certainly shouldn't deny AIDS patients coverage, but suggested they should be subject to the same considerations insurance companies make for other groups -- like smokers.

"You don't have a right to demand that somebody else take care of you because of your habits," Paul said.

Paul also defended a passage from the same book that suggested victims of sexual harassment should quit.

"They have the right to work there or not work there," he said, adding that federal law does not need to cover sexual harassment as violence in the workplace is already prohibited.

The latest Des Moines Register poll shows Paul in second place in Iowa, trailing Mitt Romney by just 2 points. However, the final two days of polling in the four-day poll show Paul slipping into third place and Rick Santorum moving up into second.

Paul's hands-off approach to foreign policy, as well as controversial writings, such as in his 1987 book and other newsletters which he has since distanced himself from, have drawn criticism in recent weeks.

But Paul said "our numbers aren't going to go down," claiming his supporters are more loyal than the supporters of his competitors.

"They don't desert," he said. "They're not going to leave us, as they have with the other ones ... so I think our numbers will continue to grow, even in these last couple days."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/01/paul-defends-book-passage-on-aids-patients-says-iowa-support-strong/#ixzz1iF990gbl

I suppose he didn't write this book either?

At the that time during the HIV/AIDS crisis everyone believed that to be true. Many believed because they didn't live that life style they were safe. It took time, learning, and study to show the world what it really was and that no one was immune. I can not fault him for believing what most of the world including the scientific world believed at the time. Views and opinions change with a little learning and knowledge behind you. Once people thought the world was flat......one people believed one race dumber than another......once the people believed if you got sick it was demons......once the world belived in pagan statues.............once the world believed in slavery..........once the world believed in Kings and Queens......guess it just depends on the century, the beliefs, and the learnings........did the Minotaur really exists? Yep, in the Author's own mind!!!

If a person is sexually permiscuous and doesn't use protection, then the opportunity for them to contract an STD including HIV/AIDS is hieghtened due to their lifestyle.

This was 1987, it was considered a homosexual disease at that time and era. That was how it was perceived then. Of course its 14 years later and more is known about th disease now.

Damn, I feel old! Year I graduated

One 'real' scientific investigation even looked into the idea that Aids started with Africans were banging monkeys.

Hit some chicks like that after a few drunk nights..........lol (not the african kind tho)

http://www.cultural-expressions.com/thesis/aidstheory.htm

Nope, no AIDS reading tonight, feelin to good for other peoples depressing shite...........

actually, some african cultures did eat monkey meat, which could have transferred some version which evolved,,,,,


but that didnt explain the primarily homosexual outbreak that first introduced it into the western culture,,,

I'm more concerned about criminalizing victims of sexual harassment.

who is talking about doing that?

Saying if your a victim of sexual harassment you should quit your job. That say's it right there.

I dont see how thats criminalizing anything though.

IF you are a victim of assault, you should probably avoid returning to the area... that doesnt mean you are a criminal though,,,

Comprehend much?

So because an INNOCEN employee is being sexually harassed by another employee she should quit her job in an economy where it would take her atleast several months to find another?

That seems fair.

Come, now. First, we're talking 1987. Sexual harassment hadn't become quite the offense at the time that it is now. Second, without context, we can assume that he meant that a person who is uncomfortable in her workplace has the freedom to quit and should exercise that. 1987 was a boom year (thanks to Reagan's absurdly inflationary policies). It wouldn't have taken anyone "several months" to find a job. As usual, context and intellectual honesty are not your strong suits. You should work on that. Make it a New Year resolution.

it may not seem fair, just like its not fair for women to be raped or assaulted by men

but it seems reasonable and logical for women to stay away from those areas where they have previously been raped or assaulted

I dont care if it was 1900, 1950, 1987, 1997, 2007 or 2012 Sexual Harassment has always been offensive. I guess you've never been involved in a case of it eh? In my job I interview people for the accusations of it on a WEEKLY basis and have seen the damage it causes to victims.

Dont you EVER let me hear you say it's not offensive or hasn't been that offensive again.

lol @ dont you ever,,,





u guys are a riot,,,

Or? You gonna asterisk him to death? C'mon Lpdon, this is just a forum.